Sevier grand Jury returns dozens of indictments

The Sevier County Grand Jury returned scores of indictments when it met earlier this month, including a second set of changes to charges stemming from an alleged 2012 home invasion.

Zachary Rattler, of Cherokee, was arrested in November of 2012 after he allegedly stabbed a Pigeon Forge man who had caught him breaking into the house. The man called police before Rattler stabbed him, according to police reports, and ID’d Rattler before being taken to an area hospital.

Rattler was initially charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated burglary, possession of a prohibited weapon and theft. A grand jury returned indictments against him last March; now he is facing charges of especially aggravated burglary, especially aggravated kidnapping, especially aggravated robbery, attempted first-degree murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, and theft of property worth $1,000 to $10,000.

A grand jury is a panel of randomly selected county residents who meet in private to review criminal allegations to determine whether there is enough evidence to justify proceeding with a trial. It does not determine guilt or innocence.

A new grand jury is selected every two months and meets at that time to review allegations.

If the group determines there is not enough evidence to merit a trial, it can return a finding of “no true bill.” If it finds there is enough evidence to proceed, it can return an indictment or a presentment.

Indictments are returned in cases where the charges against the accused party have already been announced in general sessions court, and a judge has sent the matter to the grand jury. Presentments are returned when the grand jury issues charges that had not been announced previously. Sealed presentments are kept secret until the defendants are arrested.

Names that are listed more than once in the list of indictments represent people who faced multiple indictments.

INDICTMENTS

Doris Kidwell Abbott — DUI

Steve D. Alexander Jr. — initiate manufacture of meth, initiation of process to result in manufacture of meth, simple possession